Puppy Kindergarten - Learn or Play?

[Retriever Mama]

Well, on one hand - Remy is smart and is picking up training pretty quick. On the other hand...he has so much energy he's disrupting the class!! He has total focus on me when we are working on whatever task we are trying to master...but when it comes time to sit back at our chair and listen to the instructor explain the next task and how to accomplish it...he is all over the place! Barking...trying to play with his neighbor, crawling under my folding chair and getting all tangled in it with his leash...its so embarrassing.

I feel bad, but at the same time...its all I can do to get home from work, get his sister her dinner, get him in the truck and get to class on time. So he's totally wound up from being in the crate since lunch time and he IS READY TO PLAY!! when we get to class. Sigh....

At least he's impressing his teacher with how well he's doing. And he's really cute...its gonna be his saving grace, I bet. ;D

[Shane23]

Remy is just being a puppy. But Puppy K is still worth it. It's great socialization. How old is Remy?

[Retriever Mama]

Oh, I'm loving the class, don't get me wrong. And Remy's the youngest at almost 12 weeks now. I had the perfect puppy last time - my golden was the star of the class when she went to puppy k. I asked my hubby last night "what was the dog that sat to our left in Brooklyn's class that made all the ruckus?" His response?

A lab. ;D

And the socialization is so important. Its been so hard to get him out with how cold its been - I'm making the most of this class.

Just wish he could maybe visit the mat I have at my feet for him a couple of times during class instead of being at the end of leash the whole time is all....

[Shane23]

I totally understand. Winter is very hard to get out, especially if sidewalks aren't cleared and all the salt! Best of luck with the rest of Puppy K.

[imported_azlab]

start treating him for sitting quietly. I use to sit Cinnamon (also the class socializer but star for doing a task right the first time) where she could look at me I woud give her a small treat when she sat. Then I would give her treats for sitting still. I lengthen the time between treats getting her sit and look at me for longer and longer. If she began to look around I would give her another treat to keep her in place.

[kaznalf]

Sounds familiar! Alfie barked whole of his 1st lesson half of his 2nd and none of his third and subsequent lessons thank god but yes it is embarrassing!